New US jobless claims unexpectedly rise as election approaches October 15, 2020 The number of Americans making a new claim for unemployment insurance unexpectedly rose last week as the economic recovery stuttered, posing a problem for Donald Trump with just weeks until the presidential election. New US jobless claims came in at 898,000 in the week that ended on 9 October, the Department of Labor said today. [...]
Boots sales drop 30 per cent as shoppers dodge high street October 15, 2020 British chemist Boots suffered a near 30 per cent drop in sales in the fourth quarter of the year as consumers stayed away from the high street despite the coronavirus pandemic easing slightly. Sales dropped 29.2 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. However, the figures were an improvement on the previous [...]
Investment managers urged to join government’s Kickstart scheme October 15, 2020 Investment managers are being urged to support young people with work placements amid the pandemic. Investment 20/20, part of the Investment Association, is calling on the industry to provide placements for 16-24 year olds on university credit, as it announces a new initiative in support of the government’s Kickstart scheme. Last month the government urged [...]
Banks not ready for negative interest rates, says Natwest chairman October 15, 2020 British banks are not ready to implement negative interest rates, the chairman of Natwest said today. “We’re not completely ready for it,” Howard Davies said during an interview. “There would be technical issues and many contractual issues.” The chairman said he was not in favour of negative rates being introduced, telling Bloomberg Radio there was [...]
Dunelm to repay furlough cash after sharp rise in sales October 15, 2020 Dunelm has announced it will repay furlough money to the government following a sharp rise in sales as consumers have increased spending on homewares during lockdown. The company said total sales jumped 36.7 per cent to £359.1m in the 13 weeks to 26 September as it continued to gain market share in the “buoyant” homewares [...]
London lockdown: Tier 2 restrictions the ‘death knell’ for hospitality sector October 15, 2020 The government’s announcement that London will be placed under a Tier 2 lockdown this week is the “death knell” for the capital’s struggling hospitality sector, industry bodies have warned. Care minister Helen Whately told London MPs this morning that the city will move from Tier 1 to Tier 2 on Friday night. The new restrictions [...]
New fighter jet can support 20,000 jobs, says BAE Systems October 15, 2020 BAE Systems has said that its new fighter jet could support 20,000 jobs in the UK as it seeks to make the case for the new combat air system. The Tempest programme, which is being delivered by the FTSE 100 company alongside a consortium of defence giants, is also predicted to contribute £25.3bn to the [...]
AO World shares jump as pandemic drives online sales surge October 15, 2020 Shares in AO World jumped this morning after the electronics retailer said sales had jumped by more than a half over the last six months. The white goods group said it expected revenue to hit £715m in the half-year to the end of September, up 57 per cent on the same period last year. Sales [...]
London lockdown: Khan warns of ‘dark winter ahead’ as city moves to a Tier 2 ban on household mixing October 15, 2020 Mayor Sadiq Khan has sent a stark warning to London, telling people they face a "dark winter" as Tier 2 restrictions are placed on the capital.
